By DANJUMA AMODU
Environment Minister says green finance, renewable energy and circular economy must drive climate action as WHO warns climate factors could cause 21% of Nigeria’s disease burden
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to mobilizing green finance, strengthening environmental governance, and harnessing Nigeria’s £20 billion green economy potential to create jobs, improve public health, and build climate resilience.
This was the central message at the Nigerian Environmental Summit, NESt 2026, held on 17–18 June 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the theme “Unlocking Nigeria’s Green Economy: Driving Climate Action and Strengthening Environmental Governance.”
This was disclosed in official remarks and presentations delivered at the two-day summit, which convened over 1,450 hybrid participants including government officials, development partners, private sector leaders, academia, civil society, and youth innovators.
Speaking at the opening, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said environmental sustainability is no longer optional but a necessity for national development, economic prosperity, and social stability.
“Environmental sustainability must be viewed not merely as an environmental concern but as a national development imperative. Every investment in environmental protection is an investment in Nigeria’s future prosperity and resilience.”
— Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment
Represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Mahmud Adam Kambari, the minister said Nigeria possesses enormous opportunities across renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste-to-wealth, ecosystem restoration, climate-smart infrastructure, carbon markets, and green entrepreneurship. He noted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Environment is advancing policies and programmes that promote sustainable development while protecting the environment for present and future generations. The ministry, he said, is strengthening governance through policy reforms, regulatory enforcement, institutional strengthening, and stakeholder engagement.
Lawal stressed that the transition to a climate-resilient economy requires substantial and sustained investments beyond traditional financing. He said Nigeria must aggressively mobilize green finance through climate funds, carbon markets, public-private partnerships, blended finance mechanisms, impact investments, sustainability bonds, and innovative financing instruments. “The private sector must be recognized not merely as a stakeholder but as a critical partner in driving Nigeria’s green transformation. The environmental sector must evolve into a vibrant investment destination capable of generating measurable economic, social, and environmental returns,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Mya Ngon, Cluster Lead for Disease Control at WHO Nigeria, emphasized the need to place health at the centre of climate and environmental decision-making. Citing Nigeria’s 2024 Climate and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment, she said climate-related factors could account for up to 21% of the country’s disease burden.
Dr. Edwin Isotu Edeh, Chairman of the NESt 2026 multi-sectoral Implementation Team and Global Environmental Health Expert, described the summit as a national call to action. He warned that Nigeria faces climate threats on multiple fronts: annual floods that kill hundreds, air pollution far above WHO limits, malaria burden, poor WASH services, and oil and gas pollution.
“Environmental sustainability is no longer an environmental issue alone; it is an economic, health, investment, and national security imperative. Nigeria cannot achieve lasting prosperity on a degraded environment.”
— Dr. Edwin Isotu Edeh, Chairman, NESt 2026 Implementation Team
“The future belongs to nations that convert climate risks into jobs, investments, innovation, and resilient communities,” he said.
In her welcome remarks, NESUG Executive Secretary Chem. Rita Michael-Ojo said no single institution can solve Nigeria’s environmental challenges alone. She described NESt as “one platform and one conversation where stakeholders unite to build a greener, healthier, and more prosperous future for Nigeria.” NESUG has grown into one of Africa’s largest public-private sustainability platforms, bringing together over 650,000 environmental, health, safety and sustainability professionals, 12,300 corporate and MSME actors, and more than 1,000 leaders and institutions.
A major highlight was the Nigeria Environmental Sustainability Merit Awards, NESMA, which honoured Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, Chief Dr. Iganya Joy Agene, Sanitarian Augustine Ebisike, Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, and Ms. Amina J. Mohammed. States including Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Jigawa were recognized for excellence in environmental sustainability and governance.
The summit featured technical sessions, policy dialogues, climate-health discussions, youth innovation showcases, deal-room engagements, and strategic networking sessions aimed at unlocking green investments and accelerating climate action. The Federal Ministry of Environment reaffirmed its commitment to translating NESt 2026 outcomes into concrete actions, measurable impacts, and sustainable results across Nigeria.
